DNR seeking public comment on GC’s proposed $1.55 million wastewater treatment project
By LeAnn R. Ralph
GLENWOOD CITY — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comment from Glenwood City residents on the proposed $1.55 million wastewater treatment facility project.
The project would include dredging and land application of the accumulated sludge within the existing lagoons.
The project also would include replacement of the lagoon aeration system as well as construction of two new basins within the exiting wastewater lagoons to allow reduction of phosphorus discharge with alum chemical treatment.
Alum, an ingredient also used in making certain kinds of pickles, binds with the phosphorus and causes it to settle out to the bottom instead of staying suspended in the water.
Phosphorus is one of the nutrients implicated in toxic algae blooms in area lakes during the summer that turn the water into the color and consistency of green paint and can cause rashes on the skin of people who come in contact with the water.
In addition, the wastewater treatment facility project would replace the existing flow control structure and the associated sewer pipeline to allow the continued seasonal discharge of the treated wastewater to the adjacent wetland area to Tiffany Creek.
According to a news release from the DNR, “the city’s treatment facility has historically performed adequately and generally complied with DNR discharge standards.”
The news release goes on to say the facility “is more than 30 years old, and the existing treatment process equipment needs to be replaced in order to maintain overall system performance reliability for the next 20 years.”
Glenwood City also is required to comply with new standards for ammonia and phosphorus in the discharge water, although the news release does not indicate the new standards or how far above the new standards Glenwood City is currently operating.
The cost of the proposed wastewater facility project is $1.553 million, and the news release notes Glenwood City is intending to obtain financial assistance through the state’s Clean Water Fund and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development program to help finance the project.
Sewer rates in Glenwood City may increase after the city reviews the final project cost, overall revenue needs and the available funding options.
The proposed wastewater facility project in Glenwood City does not require an environmental review under Chapter NR150 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code and only requires a facilities plan review by the DNR, according to the news release.
Public comments on the proposed project will be accepted through September 7 and can be directed to Steve Smith at the DNR; P.O. Box 7921, Madison WI 53707-7921 or by e-mail at [email protected] or by calling 1-608-266-7580.
